It’s such a shame that most women have a disposition toward being so bitchy, caterwauling and mentally tearing each others hair out as they try to climb upward to cheerleader supremacy by stamping their stilettos in exposed backs. I’ve spent my weekend in the company of past and present girlfriends who were all gathered together for an assortment of gigs and birthdays. How wonderful it was to see the childhood animosity completely gone as we hugged and shrieked at one another in recognition, and ultimately the whole of the weekend seemed to be a celebration of witnessing how far friends have come on in their prospective careers or relationships. I even managed to receive what I can best describe as a love letter from a dear friend who was unable to be there, and it really made my evening and the next day as well for that matter.

As always, Monday comes as a harsh and unwanted reality, but today I consider being a little worse than most, and not just because the heating in our office is kaput. I got chatting on gmail (odious tool) with a friend of mine who I speak to almost every day. I’ve often had problems with her: some my fault and my inability to say No, but also because of her unbelievable selfishness and quite horrific meanness. And I suppose she’s what you’d consider a toxic friend (a term I believe Cosmopolitan conned a while ago) and absolutely should be avoided. But then there’s a problem, I don’t think she knows her behaviour is wrong – because no one has ever told her.

Today she was very rude about a comment I’d written in a new CV. After I’d spent all morning going through her new marketing plan for a new job, she had in return helped me by behaving like a little brat. I’m confused at her behaviour, she can be very loving and friendly, but on occasion is patronising and ignorant.

My advice to anyone who has a friend like this is to gently dispose of them – lift the lid of the bin slowly and gently slide them in. I wont, I’m a wimp and will ignore her behaviour and continue to be friends until time does its work and hopefully we’ll just drift. But no matter how much they will make you laugh at times, or know your world well, keep these people at a distance, or forever remain on the receiving end of small yet deliberate paper cuts.